Newbie need info on Traditional Hot Rod setup

Skibo here,

Checkin in! I wanna build a Traditional style 31 or so Hot Rod. I think I wanna do a model A frame, juice brakes, like to use a small block Ford like a 289 c-4, and a 9" rear. I have always liked the High boy look. But alas, I don't know what parts I will need to hunt up or what years stuff to use.

Thanks,

Skibo out................

 

sigh.....

 

Just a heads up, this should be on the intro or main board. You will get better reactions and resonses there.

 

Ya, me to.
By the way Altered, that's one cool ride you've got there. The yellow really makes it stand out, what kind of times are you running?

 

Search through the board for pics and pick up some books on traditional rods and you'll start to get a feel for whats right. It takes alot of time to learn enough to begin building one and know what parts you'll need. What time period are you going for? Pre or post war dry lakes, '50s drags, early '60s etc....Deciding on what theme you want for your car will determine what parts you use. Only use the SBF if you build a '60s rod. You'll find that Flathead 4's and V8's, Olds Rockets, Buick Nailheads, Hemis and Cad mills are much cooler and were common for earlier rods. Just do alot of research and get a feel for what they did back then before you begin to tackle a traditional rod.
-Dean

 

Welcome Skibo,
Dean is right on with all of his comments. The only thing I would add is the recommendation to get the book "How To Build A traditional Ford Hot Rod" by Mike Bishop and Vern Tardel. It goes into detail for building an "A" roadster with a flathead. Even though you would like a later driveline it still has a lot of info to use such as the front suspension and steering as well as inspiration. I built an AV8 roadster and used the book as a great guide but not a blueprint. I built mine with the late model flathead and channeled the body over the frame 4". The front and rear suspension are like the book as are the transmission, torque tube and frame modifications. There are many roadsters, roadster pickups, pickups, coupes and sedans built and being built inspired by "the book". Many, many very close to the book and many others inspired by the book with later drivelines. Bottom line is you build it to suit you but leave off the mailorder billet stuff and you'll be cool!

Oh, by the way, you might want to post an intro about yourself on that section of the board if you haven't already and you'll get a warmer reception by some.........

Good luck and just keep askin the questions,

 

Check Mart's Old Rusty build up. http://www.martsrods.com/ Inspiration in buckets.....

Koops.....

 

Great info, I picked up the Bishop book!


Mitch

 

Another book to add to your library ...

"Street Rodders - Ch***is & Suspention Handbook"
Published by: HP Books
ISBN: 1-55788-346-7

It's a good one for the beginner.

 

I hate to say it, but a small block chevy would be a good engine choice. Sure it's overdone, but for a beginner it can be traditional, if you make it that way. It sure is easy and cheap enough to get your hands on.

Besides, not everyone is cool enough to have a flathead

 

please reconsider the small block ford. it is NOT traditional and it looks TERRIBLE in a rod. my $.02

 

a 289 is not traditional. If you use a model A frame, be sure to cover it's boringness witha heavy body channel.

 

Welcome to the board. Its nice to see that not everyone thinks smallblock chevys are the only motor out there.I used a ford because I had it layin around and had no money in it. When I went to the Goodguys show last year I couldn`t belive the amount of chevys there. Do your own thing and don`t do the follow the leader thing! That`s what its all about!

 

As far as 260's and 289's go, they are traditional for a early/mid '60s rod. If I were gonna do one up, I'd make it look like someone pulled it out of a wrecked Cobra and threw it in their rod. Finned 7 1/2 qt. oil pan, finned Cobra valve covers or Cal Customs, and either a tri-power or 4x2 Weber setup with tri-y headers and lake pipes. It'd work.
-Dean

 

Dean is right on again with his comments!! I would add though, I certainly do regard sbc's as traditional hot rod material! If anyone doesn't think so, they weren't there in the 50s. The hot rodders made them run good enough to knock the Offies off the sprint car throne as the engine of choice........Parneli Jones in the Fike Plumbing special was a**** the first in the sprinters to kick Offie ****!!.

 

Ok,

Now am cosidering a Flat head, I do like the looks of them! Just as long as they arn't too much to rebuild...

Skibo

 

-You could get a 289 in 1964. That's your holy line in the sand, right?

-There were many A's on the road, salt, and strip that weren't channeled. Or maybe those 40's through 60's magazines weren't showing "traditional" hot rods?

 

Why, so you can fit in? Build it to be fast...that's traditional.

 

DO NOT use a small block Ford as they were introduced in '63. Non traditional.

DO NOT use a SBC, lotsa people will hate it because WE ARE ALL UNIQUE HERE.

DO NOT use a flathead, not enough HP for the $$, blown headgaskets on every highway trip, etc. Unless you can afford ARDUN heads, then you're the instant hero, reardless of your skills. It's probably worth the investment for the prestige.

DO NOT use any non EARLY hemi or non wedge Plymouth. And don't run it without a crossram or any other barely adjustable multi-carb setup.

No disc brakes. Death is certain, life is not.

If you find a fibergl*** body, regardless of vintage, shun it. Pay three times as much for a rusted out tin hulk, then claim you love the 'aura'.

Remember, we're all punk rock here, and you've gotta be 'old skool' and know what you're talking about at all times...when you ask for advice it's because you 'already know the answer, just wanted to make sure'.

Don't let anyone see you use a MIG welder.

Act like you don't buy anything of Ebay. If yopu do, that means you don't know any old skool guys that will GIVE you parts because they see your hot rodding awesomeness, which means you must be gay and not a REAL hot rodder.

Talk about Germ as if you've met him, drank with him, let him **** your old lady. Just trust me on this one. Dunno if the ****er ever finished a car (doubt it), but he's a "HOT ROD LEGEND" on this board.

Have fun.

Fat*** lacking a Buick

 

LOL!

So, what motor would you recommend???? Stanley Steamer????

 

Get off your soapbox for a second and think about what you just said.

All myself and the other people on this thread were trying to do is point someone who needs a little guidance in the right direction. You took that as your cue to insult the rest of us.

SBFs are not traditional, and aside from that, ****in ugly to boot. In a rod with no hood, it would detract from the looks of the car. In a kustom or rod with an enclosed engine compartment, it would be fine. I think pretty much anybody here would agree.

SBCs are traditional, cheap and powerful. For anyone setting out to build their first rod or kustom, they should strongly be considered. Nothing wrong with disc brakes either, safety is first priority. Mopar wedges ARE traditional, since the 350 was available in Plymouths in '58 and the 383 RB was available in '59 and '60. Since these motors look identical to later 400s, 413s and 440s, using one of those would be fine as well. They're just not a real popular choice because they're very big and dress up parts are near non-existent. I think they rule, so much so I put one in my Ford. Multiple carburation isn't required, just preffered.

We're NOT all punk rock here, and I resent being placed in the "Ol Skool" demographic.

What is your advice to this guy?

 

Ooooh, you're SMART. My advice:

BUILD what you want and have fun. **** everyone else.

 

Hey Skibo, I'll bet the majority of the guys on this board don't have a 100 % traditional rod or custom (including me). Trad rods are $$$$ to build.
If you've already got the SBF, why not use it? Saves $$. Rounding up all the 'correct' parts takes along time. Build your car as "traditional" as you want and have some fun . That's the main reason for buiding a hot rod in the first place.
Good luck and welcome to the board. You'll find alot of good info here.

Josh

 

I personally like the idea of staying all Ford but those SBFs are too damn long to fit without a major firewall recess. There I've said it. Don't think about making the engine bay longer to make room because you may decide later on to put a hood on your car. Believe me, it would look just plain wrong with an extended hood. It's a lot of work to make a Model A work with a SBF but if you're up to it good luck. I can't wait to see it in progress... Don't let these ***holes diswade you, what the hell do they know that you don't. We're all a bunch of know it alls. Good Luck, dug

 

Maybe some missed the part where most of us laughed our *** off at Fat***'s reply. Did a few miss the humor?

 

+ a bajillion. you hit it dead on......

 

And NOPOWER is?

 

Don`t know where you got your info but... I tried big block chevy,smallblock chevy, and small ford was the ONLY motor that would fit WITHOUT cutting the firewall! Distributor in front meant no firewall recess. Hood & side curtins fit fine. The guy was talkin Trad, so I would say flattie to him if he can afford it, but in are world money sometimes comes into play and you gotta do with what you have!

 

Yes actually. My car is '57, the B mopar was introduced in '58. what seems to be the problem? I don't think they look great in rods, but neither do small block fords. My motor also isn't out for the world to see either.

I'm not trying to get into a ******* match about what is traditional and what isn't. The guy is looking for some advise on how to build a traditional rod, I'm telling him a sbf is a bad way to go if he's trying to build a pre '64 styled rod. Not just flatheads are traditional. As cliche as they are, SBCs are about as traditional as it comes, and you won't find a cheaper motor.

 

How does pre 64 come into play? Is that the magic year for Trad cars? I`m thinkin pre 48 is more realistic! I`m just thinkin the guy had a ford motor & trans that he wanted to use & I don`t think anyone should lead him into some kinda run of the mill chevy ********! How much **** did you catch when you decided to run dodge? I happen to think a ford in a ford IS cool! Isn`t that what roddin is all about, doing what you like?